MLB News

Turner humbled by Final Vote victory

Dodgers third baseman headed to first All-Star Game

By
Joshua ThorntonMLB.com

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner can finally say he's an All-Star, after winning the Esurance MLB All-Star Final Vote on Thursday, earning a spot in the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.

Turner received a record 20.8 million votes, breaking the mark of 19.7 million set by Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman in 2013. Turner beat out Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon, Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds and Marlins first baseman Justin Bour to earn his first career All-Star appearance.

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner can finally say he's an All-Star, after winning the Esurance MLB All-Star Final Vote on Thursday, earning a spot in the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.

Turner received a record 20.8 million votes, breaking the mark of 19.7 million set by Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman in 2013. Turner beat out Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon, Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds and Marlins first baseman Justin Bour to earn his first career All-Star appearance.

"It's incredible," Turner said about the votes he received. "I think what it did, it set a bar for the Los Angeles Dodgers and for All-Star Games for years to come. I think Kenley [Jansen] caught a little bit of heat for what he said in San Diego, but he also sparked a huge mob of voters to get out there and prove that Dodger fans are the best fans in baseball."

Entering Thursday, the 32-year-old Turner led the Majors (min. 200 AB) in batting average (.384) and on-base percentage (.473). With Turner being selected, he joins Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, Jansen and Corey Seager to give the Dodgers five All-Star representatives for the third time in 12 years.

"Hitting .300 in the big leagues, that's one thing," Jansen said. "Let's say that hitting .270 is a big thing. But almost .400? That's ridiculous. He should've been in the first place, but what can we do? I'm happy, and I have to say I'm thankful for our fans and they showed up. That's why we have the best fan base and the best fans in the world."

Turner's ascension from signing a Minor League deal with the Dodgers in 2014 to All-Star is something he said he couldn't imagine. To aid Turner's Final Vote campaign, the Dodgers created a voting room at Dodger Stadium, where members of their fan group, Pantone 294, have been voting around the clock.

"It's very humbling," Turner said. "I'm so appreciative of Dodger fans across the country and around the world who got out and voted and helped me get to my first All-Star Game. Something that I don't take lightly. I'll forever be grateful to the Los Angeles Dodgers and their fans for what they did for me this week."

On Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.